The Concerned Timber Contractors of Ghana have called on President John Mahama and the current NDC government to urgently overhaul the Forestry Commission, warning that the timber industry, a critical sector of Ghana’s economy is on the brink of collapse due to policy failures and systemic mismanagement.
Addressing a news conference in Accra on Monday, the Convener of the Group, Mr. Bright Kwesi Nkeyasen, said the time has come for a “serious reset” of the Forestry Commission, in line with the broader reform agenda being pursued by the President.
Convener of the Group, Mr. Bright Kwesi Nkeyasen
“We cannot sit down unconcerned and watch the timber industry collapse due to atrocious policies introduced by the previous government,” Mr. Nkeyasen stated.
“We are ready to support the government with all necessary information and leadership to help revive the sector for the benefit of Ghana.”, he added.
Mr. Nkeyasen outlined some of the issues as follows:
- Illegal Timber Allocations
According to the group, from 2017 to 2024, timber permits were issued in violation of L.I. 1721, which stipulates that such allocations be made through a transparent bidding process. They allege that a select few individuals acquired permits across multiple regions without due process , an act the former Forestry Commission CEO initially tried to correct but which has since resurfaced. - Mismanagement of Coppice Plantations
Contractors claim proposals submitted to manage degraded plantations were ignored and questioned how many allocations followed due process. They have asked the President to commission a full investigation. - Rosewood Trade Abuses
The group condemned the continued illegal exploitation of rosewood despite an official ban, noting that this high-value species is being felled daily without proper oversight.
“We are ready to assist the government in resetting the rosewood trade so that it becomes a regulated source of national revenue and not a threat to our environment,” said Mr. Nkeyasen. - Timber Task Force Transparency
The group questioned the legality, accountability, and revenue tracking mechanisms of the national timber task force, asking: “Who do they work for? Where does the money go? Who appointed them?”
- Foreign-Controlled Fumigation Charges
They also raised alarm over the privatization of timber fumigation services previously handled by the Ministry of Agriculture to a foreign-owned firm. This change has led to exorbitant charges, making Ghana the most expensive timber exporting country in the world.
“While our neighbors pay as low as $10 per container, Ghanaian exporters pay up to $200. This is driving investors away and undermining local industry,” they stated. - Unsustainable Timber Pricing
The group criticized increased stumpage fees and heavy taxes on both plantation and natural timber, which they argue make legal operations unprofitable and create room for illegal chainsaw operators to thrive.
Threat of Mass Action
The Concerned Timber Contractors of Ghana warned that if their demands are not addressed, they will mobilize thousands of workers, along with sawmill machines, bulldozers, and trucks, to picket the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
“This is not a threat, it is a desperate call for action. We are prepared to peacefully demonstrate until the government hears us,” said Mr. Nkeyasen.
Call to President Mahama
The group emphasized their past efforts to plug revenue leakages at the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) and said their proposals helped raise significant export levy revenue for the state. They believe that, with genuine collaboration, the industry can once again become a reliable pillar of Ghana’s economy.
“Mr. President, this is your moment to act. Reset the Forestry Commission now — not for politics, but for Ghana,” Mr. Nkeyasen appealed.
The Concerned Timber Operators have therefore threatened to picket the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should their concerns fall on deaf ears.
Mr. President, we demand that all these crucial issues raised would be addressed and given attention, failure of which we shall organise all our workers and their families who are unemployed and carry all our timber equipment, that is, sawmills machines, dozers, trucks, etc, and come to picket the lands and natural resources ministry until they hear us.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
